France has announced that it will not participate in a gathering in New York this week to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Durban World Conference against Racism.

In phone calls with the presidents of Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Shimon Peres promotes direct negotiations; Palestinian sources: negotiations are complimentary, not contradictory, to UN bid.

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Likud conference, says has tried to approach Palestinian President Abbas several times for negotiations, to no avail.

PA President arrives in New York ahead of UN General Assembly; Palestinians deny reports that Netanyahu agreed to compromise on wording of Israel as a Jewish state in Mideast Quartet statement.

Britain will not attend an event marking the tenth anniversary of a UN anti-racism conference, known as ''Durban III'' later this month in New York.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Wednesday there would be ''harsh and grave consequences'' if the Palestinians persist with their plan to seek UN membership as a state.

Speaking with Ma'an news agency, Hamas officials say planned move to garner recognition of Palestinian independence in General Assembly was undertaken without consulting the Gaza Strip-ruling group.

PLO officials say letter to UN chief earlier Thursday was sent by grassroots activists, not Palestinian officials.

In missive addressed to UN chief Ban's Ramallah office, Palestinian officials say plan includes series of peaceful events leading up to September opening of General Assembly.

A UN report on the Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound ship that killed nine Turks last year says that Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip was “legal and appropriate” but that Israel used “unreasonable force,” the New York Times reported.